Vehicle-tire.



l J. H. TUCKER.

VEHICLE TIRE. nrmonlon HLBDAUQ. 1,'1912.

I 1,677,176. '-Patentea`vo0t.2s,1913,

va-alunne-s511111:T 1. *I 1 m'z 665 es cyanea@ Zac 15eme/Zidi* J. H. TUCKER.

VEHICLE TIRE.

APPLIUATION 111.1111 AUG.1,1912.

Patnted 0G12. 28, 1913.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

nga;

J. H. TUCKER. VEHICLE TIRE. ArPLIoATIoN FILED Acnx. 1912.

1,677,176. Patented oeuf/38,1913.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Z/afzasfs 6.5 zwezz' for' g y cimegrsjzazvuckrer istics and qualities of a-pneumatic tire, but

f vextend over a considerable surface of the the wheel rim. A so etiectivenessof the improved tire in its tracsuccessful wearing'qualities and positive re- JAMES H. TUCKER, OF PETIERSB'UR(ai,y VIRGINIA.

VEHICLE-TIRE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. es, 1 913.

Application mea August 1.,.1912. semina. 712,758. V

To all whom @'25 may concern Be it knownthat I, JAMns'H. TUCKER, a citizen of the United Sta-tes,- residing at Petersburg, in the county of Dinwiddie and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Tires, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to vehicletires and has for its special object the production of a resilient tire embodying all of the characternot subject to the disadvantages incident to puncture'as' the common form of inner tube and the operation of iniiating are dispensed without detracti'ng materially from the tive service.

i further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle tire made up of interlocking sections wherein the locking mediums opposing faces of the several sections to strengthen the tire as a whole and effectively assemble the sections and to retain the sections in cooperating relation by a simple and effective means which contributes to the tention of the sections in place.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a rigidly supported tire composed of sections of a resilient -character and conjointly producing a plurality of cushions and having retaining means interposed between the inner portions of the sections and the rim of the wheelto produce a iesilient support or an'inner cp'fshion adjacent to the wheel rim.

"A furtherA object of the invention is to produce a tire composed of a plurality-of resilient sectionshaving a rigid support and to render the life of the tire much longer by increasing the elasticity through the me- =dium of the plu-rality of cushions between the inner portions of the sections secured to .the wheel rim and the outer tread portionl ofthetire and thereby reduce the wear and roughness of the tire, particularly at the points where the tire sections are secured to,l

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tire composed of a pl rality of resilient sections associated with means for preventing creeping of the tire by securing each section 'interiorlyrelative to the retaining means for all of the sections.

Wit these and other objects and advantagesin view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly 1n section, of a portion of a tire .embodying the features of the' invention and shown attached to a wheel rim. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a portion of a tire partly in section. Fic. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the p ane of the engaging faces of two ofthe sections and illustrating the riml and its contributing holding members in section as well for the several tire sections. tail elevation of one of the tire sections. Fig. 5 is a. cross-sectional View of the retaining ring` for the tire sections. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of one of the tire sections showing a slight modification. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of the tire sections showing lthem provided withdiagonal engaging faces. 'Fig 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, partially in section, showing the manner of'associating the diagonal faces or adjacent sides of the-sections. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of an automobile and running gear' and wheels provided with tires composed of sections having diagonal or oblique engaging faces or sides and also illustrating the change in angularity of the sections relatively to right and left positions.

The numeral .5 designates a plurality of resilient independent tire sections preferably made of rubber and adapted to be secured to a 4rim 6 of a wheel, the rim embodying a peripheral scat plate? having a Fig. 4 is a deiiange 8 at one side with an inwardly ex-v as the retaining means `tending clencher projection 9 and a straight angular flange 10 at the opposite side edge with which a clencher annulus or ring 1l is associated and provided with an inwardly projecting extension 12 similar to the'projection 9. As shown by Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the sections 5 are duplicate in construction and are segmental in'their contour so that when they are associated their opposite faces or sides will closely interlock. Each' section 5 embodies in one face an approximately circular rib intersectedby a segmental rib 14 below the center of the section, the terminals of the segmental rib 14 projecting beyond the portions of the rib 13 intersected thereby, as at l5. .The opposits face of each section 5, as shown by A Fig. l, has a corresponding approximately eireular groove 1G and an intersecting seg mental groove 17, the latter having its terniinal portions 1S extending outwardly beyond the groove 16, the grooves lo, 1T' and 18 being adapted to snugly receive the ribs 13 and 14.- and the extensions 15. Each seetion is also formed withan opening 1S) therethrough above the center, and below the plane of the rib lll on one face and the groove l? on the opposite tace eaeh section is also constructed with a substantially inverted triangular opening '20,the rib .l-fl andthe groove 17 being formed as portions ot an interino diate resilient bridge 2l.` The inverted apex oi the opening 2O 'ternnnates above the under 'side or base surface ot' the section, the latter being eut through or slitted, as at from the center ot' the said apex through to the under sido of the section. Glenn-ner ineinbers or feet. 23 are formed below the lower terminals of the rib 13 and groove 16 on, opposite sides of the vertical center,y ot the section, the said feet having flat bottom surfaces '24 and also provided with recesses at their outer sides above the bottoni surfaces to receive the projections 9 and 12. 'It will be seen that a considerable mass ot material exists between the lower apex of the opening 2O and the 'under side of the section so that a resilient cushion is formed between the said lower terminal. of the opening 2O and the lower surface of the section, and above the opening 20 the bridge 21 provides a second cushion and between the opening '19 and the tread surface of the section a third cushion 26 is formed.

Threaded through the openings 2() of the several sections is a. ring 27 which is ot the same Vcontour as the said openings, and at regular intervals in the opposite concave sides thereof grooves 28 are 'formed and e'xtend upwardly thereover from a point near the lower terminal of the ring to a point adjacent the upper terminals of the opposite sides of the base. These grooves 28 provide ribs 29 throughout the length ot the rim and when the sections 5 are assembled lon the ring the opposite side walls ot the opening 2O have portions thereof forced into the grooves 28 at intervals, this engagement with the grooves ,being set up when the 'feet 23 are disposed on the seat plate 7 and the clencher annulus applied and secured .is shown by Fig. 3. Through the inediurn of this ring Q7 with the grooves Q8 and ribs 29, creeping ot the sections or of the entire tire is prevented, it being understood that the ends of the ring will be suitably joined or brought into elose engagement. lt will be observed that between the lower terminal of the ring 27 and the tlat under sides of the sections or the bottom surfaces ot' the feet- Q3 a rubber cushion is provided and extends throughout the length of the tire and Lemire gives to the latter greater resiliency and at the sanie time the ring operates to maintain the sections in .se-eure position relatively to the rina 6 and plate i'. the bridge 2l sets up an additional Cushion and outwardly beyond the opening lll the third cushion 2G will not be subjecledto any hard action or resistanre to tree resilient cushioning operation by the said ring. The several sections are also prevented troni separating or pulling away itroni each other through the niediuni ot the ribs 13 and 1li` and the extensions 15 respectivily engaging the grooves 1G, 1i' and 18, and the lock pro duced by the extensive character ot the ribs and grooves over the greater portion ot the contiguous sides or 'taees of the sections will insure a. positive obstruction to lateral displacement of the sections and also prevent the entrance olf grit and water to the interior et the tire, and as an additional means 'for preventing grit'entering between the sections 1the outer edge engaging portions have guard lips or 'ight overlapping edges, as a t St), which operate when the tire is eoinpressed to bind more closely and Close the outer portions, ot the joints oit the seetions. The obslruc on to the entrance ot grit through the outer portions ot the. joints of the sections as just explained will add largely to the simi/ess and dui-abitl of the tire by obviating the aggregation ot gritty wearing material between the seetioiis.

rllhe parts ot the tire as thus tar described may be quickly and easily assen'ibled, and it will be seen that as each section is a duplirate of the other the cost ot production will be materially reduced, as the several sections may be individually trained b v a. single mold or at. one operation.

ln' the modifie-ation shown by Figi. the section 5 has the groove l?) continued at its lower terminals by (converging extensions 31 outward it@ the iteet, Q3 and iu tliebridge 21 a short cross groove 5352 may be trained, the opposing .tace ot the section being correspondingly formed with ribs. The exten sions 31 oit the groove l?) pro 'ide AFor a more positive secureinent or jointure ot the toet 23 when the ooi-respondingly shaped ribs engage the saine. The groove 13 as shown by Fig. il, for instance, could be provided with the extensions 31 as the change is an obvious one and it will be understoral thatl in like manner the ribs Could be eorrespondingly modified on the opposite 'tare of each seetion. The section 5 as shown by llig. 6 has an intermediate locking lug 83 disposef horizontally below the lower wall ot the opening 19 and at one side ot the vertical Center oit the se-f-'lion, the said lug being enlarged gradually toward an inner maximum projecting tern'iinal or shoulder f-l, aud on opposite side ot the vertualV center ot the section a recess Bo eorrespf-uding in contour Above the ring Q7 to the lug 33 is formed tcl-'receive a similar 'lug on a contiguous section. This intermethe sect-ions 36, shown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9,

the latter being constructed with oblique faces 37 terminating in'square locks 38 at opposite ends. Figs. 7 and 8 show the sections disposed for use o-n tires of right and left wheels, as more fully illustrated by Fig. 9, and also indicate that the several sections of the tire may be diagonally arranged or formed on the bias, as it were. The square locks 38 facilitate the positive application of the sections to the rim of the wheel and insure a reliable retention in their applied position. The contiguous faces of the sections 3G are constructed with the ribs and grooves as hereinbefore described and as shown for instance by Fig. 6, or the said ribs and grooves may be similar to those illustrate-d by Figs. 3 and 4, and in addition thel intermediate locking lugs 33 and corresponding recesses 35 are formed in the contigmus faces of these sections.. As shown by Il ig. S) the advantages accruing from 'the ribsand grooves together with the intermediate locking lugs 33 and recesses 35 are augmeited by the diagonal faces especially when tirning a wheel to the right and left or wherA one wheel serves as the pivot wheel, as it were, and the other swings in an arc as in the ordinary turning movements of a vehicle Under these latter conditions and in view o i the construction and arrangement shown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the gaping of the sections n ill be obstructed to a material degree and the wearing qualities of the tire advantageously increased. A

That is claimed is 1. A vehicle tire comprising a plurality of indeperdent sections having upper and lower openings therethrough with a resilient bridge between the upper and lower openings and a yielding cushion between the lower openings and the bases of the sections, the sections also having interlocking grooves and tongues respectively formed in opposite faces and partially extending inwardly over the bridges, and a retainingring inserted through the lower openings of the sections and having its lowermost portion held elevated above the lower terminals of said sections. A

- 2. A vehicle tire comprising a plurality of independent resilient sections having openings therethrough'separated by intermediate bridges and provided witli interlocking grooves and tongues respectively -formed in opposite faces, a resilient cushion being formed between the lower openings anc". the bases of the sections, and a retaining ring inserted through the lower openings and having vertical grooves extending adj acent to the -ported above and held out Ialong opposite lsides thereof into which the side walls of the lower openings are forced at intervals to prevent creeping of the tire sections.

3. A vehicle tire comprising a plurality of independent resilient sections having upper and lower openings therethrou h intercepted by bridges and also provide with inter- ,locklng tongues and grooves respectively formed inthe opposing faces thereof and extending-over the bridges and also above the upper openings and adjacent to the lower` openings, a' cushion being formed between each lower opening and base of the section, a ring inserted through the vlower openings of the sections, and a rim in which the bases of th'e sections are inserted and secured, the

lowermost portion of the 'ring being held above and out of contact with the rim by the cushions between the lower openings and bases of the sections.

4. A vehicle tire comprising a plurality of independent resilient sections formed with upper and lower openings separated by cross bridges and also provided with interlocking tongues and grooves respectively formed in the opposing faces thereof and continuing above the upper openings and downwardly transversely of the sections over the bridges, a ring inserted through the-lower openings of the sections lbetween the lower portions of' the tongues and grooves in the opposite faces of the sections and a rim in which the bases of the sections are fitted and secured, the ring havlng an 'upper transversely extended portion and a lower reduced portion supany part of the rim. Y 5. A vehicle tire comprising a plurality of independent resilient sections having interlocking tongues and grooves respectively formed in the opposing faces thereof, the faces also provided with intermediate locking lugs and recesses in reverse positions on the opposite faces of the sections, a ring inserted through the lower portions of the sections below the said locking lugs' and -recesses, and a rim in which the bases of the sections are secured, the ring being retained in position independently of the said locking lugs and recesses.

6. A vehicle ltire comprising a plurality of independent resilient sections having interlocking tongues and grooves in opposing faces thereof and also provided with intermediate locking lugs and recesses in alternate positions in the opposing faces, the opposing faces of the sectionsl main formed obliquely and continuing into square locks at opposite ends, a securing being in the vlower openings and also.l

of contact with means insertedthrough the sections, and al of independent resilient sections having in- 1 tions and having cushion means between the terlocking means respectively formed in the lowermost portion of the ring and the said opposing faces thereof and also formed wit-li 4 bases of the sections. lower centrally located openings tl1ere- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 5 through above the bases of the sections and my hand in presence of two subscribing Wit- 15 also. with upper openings, the interlocking messes.

means extending around and between the JAMES H. TUCKER. said openings, and a ring inserted through Witnesses: the lower openings and located wholly above S. J. PINCHARD, J r.,

10 the lower terminals of the bases of the sec- E. H. BEASLEY. 

